Micro Materials

The MicroTest^TM

The unique open platform of the NanoTest system allows one or two separate loading heads to be mounted side by side. The NanoTest loading head, also known as the low load head, covers the force range 0.01mN – 500mN. The MicroTest loading head, known as the high load head, allows the user to apply forces of  0.3 – 20N, thus extending the range of the system into the micro-hardness range.

As both loading heads may be mounted simultaneously there is no need to physically swap one for another, meaning the user can easily move between load ranges.

Techniques possible with the MicroTest^TM

The MicroTest^TM head may be combined with all the testing capabilities of the NanoTest^TM, allowing the user to carry out:

• Microindentation
• Micro-scratch and wear testing
• Micro-impact and fatigue
• High temperature microindentation to 500 degrees Celsius
• High temperature micro-scratch and wear
• High temperature micro-impact and fatigue

The MicroTest^TM can be supplied in conjunction with a NanoTest^TM or as a standalone system.

Further Reading on the MicroTest^TM

Micro-impact testing: a new technique for investigation fracture toughness. BD Beake, MJ Ibanez Garcia, JF Smith, Thin Solid Films 2001(398-399) 438-444

Mechanical characterization of nanostructured TiB2 coatings using microscratch techniques. N Panich, Y Sun, Tribology International 2006 (39, Issue 2) 138-145

Substrate temperature effects on the microhardness and adhesion of diamond-like thin films. E Martinez, MC Polo, E Pascual, J Esteve,  Diamond and Related Materials, 1999 (8) 563-566

Investigation of high-temperature plastic deformation using instrumented microindentation tests. Part I: The deformation of three aluminim alloys at 473 K to 833 K. V Bhakhri, RJ Klassen, Journal of Materials Science 2006 (41) 2259-2270.

Investigation of high-temperature plastic deformation using instrumented microindentation tests. Part II: The deformation of AI-based particulate reinforced composites at 473 K to 833 K. V Bhakhri, RJ Klassen, Journal of Materials Science 2006 (41) 2248-2258.